KSG Exec Brief: AI EO Summary Redux

Old MacDonald had an Executive Order... E-I-E-I-AI-EO

Insight 

In case you missed it, check out our summary of President Biden’s AI Executive Order from earlier this week: AI Executive Order: Key Takeaways (ks.group).

Global Scan

Geopolitics

1. EU Courting Africa in Push to Counter China’s Spending: In partnership with the US, the bloc will launch the groundwork for a strategic corridor connecting the critical mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia with the Atlantic Ocean via Angola.

2. Drought Saps Panama Canal, Disrupting Global Trade: Average daily traffic of 38 cargo ships per day has decreased by over 20%, as experts say vessels may soon have to avoid the canal altogether if the problem gets worse.

Cybersecurity

1. Atlassian Warns New Vulnerability Can Cause Data Loss: The software giant assesses a critical security flaw could lead to “significant” data losses for, just weeks after state-backed hackers targeted its products. The company urged rapid patching.

2. Aerospace Giant Boeing Confirms Cyberattack: The acknowledgment comes as ransomware collective LockBit claimed it breached the company’s networks and pilfered company data.

3. Nearly 50 Countries Pledge Not to Pay Cyber Ransom: As part of the Biden administration’s Countering Ransomware Initiative, the group will look also seek ways to hold other nations accountable for their role in either facilitating or tolerating ransomware operations.

Strategic and Emerging Tech

1. Eric Schmidt, Ken Griffin Invest in UK Biobank: The two donated over £16 million – matched by UK Government – for a consortium to scale up health data from 500,000 volunteers that approved researchers can access to further breakthroughs against disease.

2. US Electric Vehicle Market Booming: After a brief pause, the cost of batteries for EVs is again on the decline. Meanwhile, sales are up 35% over last year – an industry record – while the US installed a record 1.4 million public charging stations.

3. Wearable Tech Energy Harvesting Advances: Researchers are approaching tech that draws electricity from bodily motion, without the need for batteries – including devices that collect and transmit data wirelessly.  

Policy/Regulation

1. SEC Charges SolarWinds CISO with Fraud: The agency alleges the executive misled investors by “overstating SolarWinds' cybersecurity practices and understating or failing to disclose known risks.”

2. Western Capitals Scrambling to Lead on AI: The US, UK, and G7 all marked a banner week on artificial intelligence, including the White House’s executive order, which gives federal agencies greater powers to oversee how AI is rolled out in key areas.

3. UK Backs Suspension of Deep-Sea Mining in Reversal: After criticism from scientists, MPs and environmentalists, the government announced a moratorium until enough scientific evidence was available to understand the impact on oceanic ecosystems.

Bookmarks

1. DFRLab: Homogeneity and Concentration in the Browser